selection criteria for a

school principal

Guide for the Governing Board

A Word template of this guide is available to help you complete the process.

Download template

For further information

Consult the SHEET 9 of the Training for governing boards.

School’s needs

The Governing Board must successfully identify the following needs and concerns.

STUDENT NEEDS
(e.g. educational project, inclusion, giftedness, socio-economic conditions, etc.)
COMMUNITY NEEDS
(e.g. parents, school team, neighborhood, other partners, etc.)
MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
(e.g. organization of resources and workforce, budget management, building maintenance, etc.).
OTHER CONCERNS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD

Expected skills

To be chosen by the Governing Board from the suggestions below. You are free to modify, add or remove them.

Leadership

Demonstrate confidence.
Demonstrate good self-control.
Promote participative management.
Promote dialogue and collaboration.
Make our positions clear.
Be persuasive and convincing.
Seek and build consensus.
Influencing events and people’s behavior.
Set an example and demonstrate consistency in our actions.
Initiate action in its areas of competence.
Be energetic and convey enthusiasm.
Be recognized and consulted by the people around you.
Communicating a positive and stimulating vision of our orientations.
Rally people around a clear, motivating vision of objectives.

Communications

Master written communications.
Master verbal communication.
Express yourself satisfactorily in a group.
Regular and timely information.
Promote healthy, respectful communications.
Listen attentively and adapt to others’ frame of reference.
Use communication tools adapted to each context.
Be available, respond when called upon.

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND JUDGMENT

Adhere to the school’s educational project.
Adhere to the school’s code of conduct.
Respect the rules in force.
Be reliable and act accordingly.
Keep a close eye on the progress of your projects.
Understand the obligations of your position and act accordingly.
Investing in your work, striving to achieve your goals.
Be accountable for your actions and results.
Demonstrate integrity and thoroughness.
Make the right decisions.

TEAM COORDINATION

Specify the contribution expected from each member and the team as a whole.
Follow-up and provide feedback.
Provide the support required by each member.
Share information with members.
Distribute work according to team mandates and individual responsibilities.
Provide the means and tools required to complete tasks.
Identify organizational problems and propose corrections.
Make sure the rules of operation are well known.

EFFICIENT OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Good budgeting skills.
Setting goals.
Set priorities.
Delegate appropriately.
Master the different policies of the school service center.
Plan and organize activities.
Evolve appropriately in the political and strategic arena.

OPENNESS TO CHANGE

Be open-minded.
Be creative when the time is right.
Initiate changes to improve a situation.
Adapt to the needs of team members and context.
Encourage your team to stay positive and mobilize them for change.

Legal framework for this consultation

This mandatory consultation is not an annual one, but it’s best to hold it regularly, if possible.

It is the selection criteria that are submitted for consultation, not the work of the people who occupy these positions. Management members can therefore attend and participate in these discussions, but may also choose to withdraw.

Extracts from the Public Education Act :

79. The governing board must be consulted by the school service centre concerning the amendment or revocation of the school’s deed of establishment.

It must be consulted by the director general of the school service centre or the person designated by the director general concerning the selection criteria for the appointment of the principal.

1988, c. 84, a. 79; 1997, c. 96, a. 13; 2000, c. 24, a. 21; 2020, c. 1, a. 312; 2023, c. 32, a. 5.

96.8. The principal of a school shall be appointed by the director general of the school service centre in accordance with the selection criteria established by the director general of the school service centre after consulting with the governing board.

The director general of the school service centre may designate a person to fill the position of principal temporarily, having regard to the provisions of the applicable collective agreements or regulations of the Minister.

1997, c. 96, a. 13; 2020, c. 1, a. 312; 2023, c. 32, a. 6.

ADOPTION BY RESOLUTION

Don’t forget that your school board must adopt, by resolution, its response to the consultation on principal selection criteria. to the consultation on principal selection criteria.

Tools to help you

Consult your school organization to find the tools developed for this consultation.

Chapter 3 of Management training. Orientations et compétences professionnelles, Ministère de l’Éducation, 2008 (especially pages 32 to 46)